BIBLE PASSAGE: GALATIANS 5:16–25 (KJV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
EXHORTATION
KEY VERSE:
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 (KJV)
Welcome to Mercy Speaking Daily Devotional on this Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Yesterday, we considered Growth That Requires Surrender and were reminded that spiritual maturity requires us to yield our desires, attitudes and plans to God. Today, we take that lesson further by reflecting on From Carnal to Spiritual. Surrendering to God means allowing the Holy Spirit to change not only what we do outwardly but also the desires and attitudes that influence our decisions. May the Lord help us recognise the areas where we still need transformation and give us grace to walk daily in His Spirit.
Augustine of Hippo (354–430) provides a historical example of the struggle between human desires and spiritual transformation. As a young man, Augustine pursued intellectual success and struggled with desires that conflicted with the Christian life he was coming to understand. In Milan, Italy, during the summer of 386, he experienced a decisive turning point. In his account, Confessions, he describes being deeply troubled by his inward struggle and then reading a passage from Romans 13:13–14, which called him to reject sinful conduct and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He subsequently resigned his teaching position, prepared for baptism and was baptised in 387. His journey reminds us that spiritual change involves more than knowing what is right; it requires yielding our hearts and lives to Christ. His experience is discussed in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
The word carnal refers in this passage to being governed by the desires and attitudes of our sinful nature rather than being led by God’s Spirit. It can be seen when anger controls our responses, pride determines our relationships, jealousy influences our judgement, or selfish ambition becomes more important than obedience to God. A carnal life is not necessarily one without religious activity. A person may attend church, know Bible verses and participate in ministry while still allowing bitterness, dishonesty, lust or unforgiveness to control the heart. God desires more than outward religion; He desires a life that is being transformed from within.
Paul explains that the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict. This describes a struggle many sincere Christians recognise. We may know that we should forgive, yet feel a strong desire to retaliate. We may understand the importance of honesty but be tempted to conceal the truth to protect our reputation. We may know that prayer and Scripture are essential but repeatedly choose distractions instead. These struggles remind us that spiritual growth requires daily dependence on God. We cannot overcome the sinful nature merely by making promises to ourselves; we need the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and help us choose what pleases the Lord.
Paul does not leave us focusing only on the works of the flesh. He contrasts them with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These qualities reveal the character God desires to develop in us. Love teaches us to seek another person’s good rather than act selfishly. Longsuffering helps us remain patient when others disappoint us. Meekness enables us to respond with humility instead of arrogance, while temperance teaches self-control over our words, desires and actions. The fruit of the Spirit is not simply a list of admirable qualities; it is evidence of the Spirit’s transforming work in a believer’s life.
Moving from carnal to spiritual does not mean that we become perfect overnight or never experience temptation again. It means that we no longer make peace with sin or allow it to rule us without resistance. When the Holy Spirit exposes a wrong attitude, we respond with repentance rather than excuses. When we fail, we seek God’s forgiveness, receive His correction and return to the path of obedience. Spiritual maturity is shown not by pretending that we have no weaknesses but by bringing those weaknesses honestly before God and allowing Him to work in us.
This transformation requires practical discipline. We must feed our minds with God’s Word, maintain a sincere life of prayer, participate in Christian fellowship and obey the truth we have received. We should also pay attention to the influences we welcome into our lives, including conversations, entertainment, relationships and habits that may encourage sinful attitudes. What we repeatedly allow into our minds can influence our desires and choices. As we fill our hearts with Scripture and learn to follow the Spirit’s leading, we become better equipped to resist temptation and practise godliness.
We must also remember that spiritual growth affects our relationships. It is not enough to claim that we are spiritual while treating others with cruelty, dishonesty or contempt. A Spirit-led life should increasingly display patience at home, fairness at work, humility in leadership and compassion toward people in need. Our growth becomes visible when we respond differently from how we once responded, choosing truth over deceit, forgiveness over revenge and self-control over impulsive reactions.
Paul concludes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” In other words, the life we receive through the Spirit should be reflected in the way we live each day. Ask God to examine your heart. Identify the attitudes and habits that continue to hinder your spiritual growth, and take practical steps to address them. Do not become discouraged by the work that remains, but do not use grace as an excuse to remain unchanged. Depend on Christ, obey His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in you.
The evidence of spiritual growth is not merely how much we know about God, but how increasingly our thoughts, choices and relationships reflect the character of Christ. As you walk in the Spirit, may your life become a clearer expression of God’s grace and truth.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The more you yield to the Holy Spirit, the less room you give sinful desires to control your life.
PRAYER POINTS
- Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and for the Holy Spirit who guides and strengthens me. Thank You for Your patience and mercy as You continue transforming my life.
- Merciful Father, forgive me for every sinful attitude, thought, word and action through which I have yielded to the flesh. Cleanse my heart and give me a sincere desire to turn away from sin.
- Holy Spirit, help me to overcome the works of the flesh. Give me strength to resist temptation, control my desires and choose what is pleasing to God.
- Lord Jesus, develop the fruit of the Spirit in me. Help me to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control.
- Father, renew my mind through Your Word. Remove every thought pattern, habit and influence that draws me away from Your truth, and teach me to think and live according to Your will.
- Holy Spirit, guide my relationships and daily decisions. Help me to respond with humility, forgiveness, honesty and compassion, so that my life will reflect the character of Christ.
- Faithful Father, I thank You because Your Spirit is at work in me. Continue Your transforming work, help me to walk in the Spirit each day, and let my life bear fruit that brings glory to Your holy name, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
